"Tracy Falbe - The Rys Chronicles 03 - Judgment Rising" - читать интересную книгу автора (Falbe Tracy)

After all the other priests kneeled, Sandin dropped to his knees before the high priest. Despite
having a body withered by age and not wounds, the high priest had a strong voice that filled the
sanctum.

тАЬGreat Golan, brother of civilization, look upon a warrior who comes to honor you. He is the best
among the men of your chosen country, but even in his success, he knows that he is just your
agent. He knows that your greatness gave him the courage to defeat his enemies.тАЭ

The priests responded together. тАЬGolan, giver of victory, hear our praise.тАЭ

тАЬAnd continue to bless Clan PromentroтАЩs finest son with the banner of victory,тАЭ the high priest
added.

тАЬMay my body and mind never waver and thereby prove worthy of GolanтАЩs rewards in this world
and in death,тАЭ Sandin said.

тАЬHear the pledge of the warrior and be pleased, great Golan, for there is no higher warrior in all the
world,тАЭ the high priest declared.

тАЬGolan, giver of eternal paradise, accept our warrior,тАЭ the priests intoned.

A gong was struck and the note quivered in the air like a battle cry. When it faded, the high priest
continued. тАЬLord General, rise and present your gift to Golan, the most generous and wanton of
Gods.тАЭ

Sandin obeyed and drew forth a scroll from the pouch on his belt. Although tied with a golden
ribbon, it appeared an insignificant thing next to the treasures that littered the temple. Mere words
on parchment seemed unbefitting the extreme appetites of war. But with the document, Sandin
delivered up great wealthтАФan immense prize for both God and temple.

The high priest opened the scroll and after scanning the contents, which he of course already had
knowledge of, announced, тАЬLord General Sandin has given the region of Belesti and the
Pandovelari city-state of Koreltia to his patron God. From this moment forth those properties are
now in the stewardship of the temple. In the name of Golan, I praise the Lord General for his
mighty gift. We shall keep his name in our hearts and on our lips. Atrophane will not forget him or
ignore his titles while he is away doing the work of our God.тАЭ

тАЬI thank you for your praise, high one,тАЭ Sandin said.
тАЬAnd with our praise comes honor,тАЭ the high priest responded. тАЬLike the Lord Generals before you,
Sandin of Clan Promentro, we shall bestow on you the Rod of Golan, the greatest honor outside
the priesthood.тАЭ

An attending priest brought forth a long black box and another priest opened it. The high priest
picked up the heavy golden rod and presented it to the kneeling warrior. Sandin kissed the huge
blood red ruby ring on the gnarled hand of the high priest and accepted the venerable token that
would serve little purpose outside the ceremony. Any meaning that Sandin derived from the
symbolic gift resulted from the fact that Lord KwanтАЩs hands had once received the rod.

The high priest faced the altar and led the group through prayers to the staring statue. Time
slowed and SandinтАЩs knees began to ache, but he tried to pray diligently. Although he was not